The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-12
A DISASTER AT SEA.
The German Ship Elizlbsth, Captain HslOsr-
stadt, Stranded on the Virginia Coast
Twenty Lives Lost, Among Them Five Men of
the Life-Saying StatiOn-Fuu Details
of the Catastrophe.

NORFOLK, Va, Jan. s.-One Of the most disas-
trous shipwrecks which ever occurred on the
Virginia coast haPpenud at o'clock this morn
fourteen miles south of Cape Henry. Not less than
twenty, and probably more, lives were lost among
them five liie-saviDg men, who, in the discharge
bitterly cold, and a binding snow storm pre-
vailed, with the wind blowing gale.from the
saving patrol from the Little Island life
saving station sighted large ship stranded
on tie bar about $50 yards from the shore.
When he saw the vessel he was going to
meet the patrol from Dam Neck Station and 70
excbsnee checks. showing that both patrolmen
had been TO the end of their beat. The Dam Neck
patrol was only a few yards distant when the yes
sci was sighted, and both fired rockets TO notify
the crew Of the stranded ship that she had been
seen. They hurried back TO their respective sta
tons and gave the alarm. In little while both
crews, with life-boats and apparatus, were abreast
nounced that line had been shot out to the ill
fated vessel. The shot vas unsuccessful. and
second was fred with like result. After firing six
unsuccessful shots the hfe-saving men determined
to brave the fury of the sea and the death which
seemed certain 10 await their venture. The word
Of command being given by Captain BeanZa. IT
six of the most expert boatmen manned each
boat. At his command the men gave way with
will, and in a moment both boats were breasttng
the furious waves Ihey reached the snip IN
safety, and i've OF the ships crew were
taken in life-b0st and ten in ships boat which
was launched for the purpose. The boats headed
for the shore, and not word was spoken, for each
man realized the awful peril which surrounded
them. With a steady pull the two boats were
making good Roadway for shore when a wave OF
great power struck both boats capsizing them IN
staBtly and pitching their twenty-five occupants
into the boiling sea. Then began desperate
struggle for life, and with many of the men twas
prolonged one. The Mortified life-savers on the
beach were powerless to assist their dr0 wing
comrades or the unfortunate strangers. The
drowning men were carried southwark by the
sea and some of them were washed ashore. As
they came within reach they were picked up and
endeavOrS were made to revive them, and in
two instances with success, although one OF the
two is badly injured.
The vessel is the German ship Elizabeth. Cap
tain Halberstadt from Hamburg 10 Baltimore,
aud not one other crew survives her wreck. Her
cargo is unknown, the high seas have thus far
prevented any attempt TO reach her. 1t is thought
she is leaking badly. and at sunset her masts were
thought 10 be giving way. OF the life-sdving crew
the following were lost: Abel BelanZa, captain OF
No. 4, known as Little Island; J. w. Land, same
station; George W. Stone, same; J. A. Belanza, OF
Dam Neck Station, and brother of Abel; Joseph
Spratey, OF Dam Neck. John Etheridge aud
Frank Tetford, of No. 4 station, were washed
ashore and resuscitated but EtheTidge is so badly
injured that il is thought he can not survive.
The Signal Corpse STATION at Dam Neck, Va, re-
ports that the masts OF the stranded ship Eliza
beth are loose and she viii probably be a total
wreck. No particulars of the casualty. beyond
those contained in the Norfolk dispatch, have
been received.